In-dwelling cannula



Dec. 1, 1959 F. A. CUTTER IN-DWELLING CANNULA 2 Sheets-Sheet l ig .5 .E'ig .4

Filed Dec. 25, 1957 figl fi 12 6 My R J m m E r. H \L EUJT 1 WC FA .M Am A dH Z M E M A L Y B Dec. 1, 1959 F. A. CUTTER 2,915,063

IN-DWELLING CANNULA Filed Dec. 25. 1957 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 II 26 H JJL 5.5

INVENTOR. Fred A Cuff'er ECKHOFF :2; SLICK AT mvsvs BY A MEMBEP 0F 7H5 United States Patent IN-DWELLING CANNULA Fred A. Cutter, Piedmont, Calif., assignor to Cutter Laboratories, Inc., a corporation of a California Application December 23, 1957, Serial No. 704,579 1 Claim. (Cl. 128-214) This invention relates to an improved in-dwelling cannula construction, and particularly to an improved venous cannula.

As is well-known, it is frequently necessary to administer parenteral solutions over a relatively long period. In such cases, the common practice heretofore has been either to perform a venipuncture with a metal hypodermic type needle and leave the needle in place over the required period or, under aseptic conditions, to cut down surgically into the vein with a scalpel, insert a flexible plastic tube and suture the opening to hold the tube in place over the required period. Both these practices present difficulties. For example, when a metal hypodermic type needle is used over an extended period of time, the patient must be immobilized to prevent the point of the in-dwelling needle from accidentally damaging surrounding tissue. Also, clotting of the patients blood is prevalent at the point of the needle. In this regard, the patients tolerance is much superior when a flexible plastic tube is used. However, current practice demands that aseptic surgical care be used. In accordance with this invention, I provide an intravenous administration construction such that initial venipuncture can be made with a sterile hollow needle, following which a sterile, flexible plastic tube is introduced, the hollow needle being withdrawn and the plastic tube left in place, all of this being achieved under aseptic conditions.

It is in general the broad object of the present invention to provide an improved intravenous administration equipment, particularly one which is 1 suitable for indwelling over a relatively long period.

In the drawings accompanying and forming a part hereof, Figures 1, 2, 3, 4 and are side elevations showing respectively the assembled apparatus as supplied for use (Figure 1), the apparatus when prepared for the insertion of the hypodermic needle in a vein (Figure 2), the apparatus when the plastic cannula has been advanced through the hypodermic needle which is in position in the vein (Figure 3), the hypodermic needle withdrawn from engagement with the patient, the plastic tubing being in position in the vein (Figure 4) and, finally, the apparatus connected to administration equipment (Figure 5).

The invention includes other features and objects of advantage, some of which, together with the foregoing, will appear hereinafter wherein the present preferred form of in-dwelling cannula is disclosed.

'In accordance with this invention, I provide a hollow metal needle 6 of the type used in hypodermic syringes and having a hub 7, the hollow metal needle having a sharp point 8 adapted to be inserted into the vein of a patient. A transparent tubular cover 9 fits over the hollow metal needle 6 and seats upon a portion of the hub 7 to prevent the sharpened point 8 from nad ertently "ice piercing the sidewall of a flexible cover 11 provided about the assembly.

In accordance with this invention, a flexible plastic tube 12 is extended slidably into the hollow needle 6, but does not normally project therethrough. At its other end, the flexible tube 12 is provided with an adapter 13 for connection with a suitable fluid system, as will be described. The end of the adapter 13 is closed by a protecting cover 14.

As appears in Figure 1, the entire assembly is encased within a transparent flexible envelope 11, the latter being made of cellophane, thin-walled gum rubber, polyethylene, or like material. A rubber band or like engaging means 16 is provided about the cover 11, holding the latter in engagement with the hub 7. The cover is sealed as at 17; it is provided with a cotton filter 18 at one end so that the entire assembly can be sterilized. The unit described and as shown in Figure 1 is ordinarily assembled and marketed as such.

In use, the sterility protector 11 is severed as at 19 (Figure 2) adjacent to the needle hub 7, the severed portion being removed along with the needle protector 9. The sterile hollow hypodermic type needle is then exposed and is available for insertion into a vein, the apparatus then appearing as in Figure 2. When the hollow needle 6 is in position in the vein, the flexible plastic cannula or tubing 12 is advanced through the hollow hypodermic type needle 6; this is effected by engaging the protector 14 in the flexible cover 11 and the hub 7 and advancing the sterile plastic cannula through the hollow tube. When suflicient plastic cannula has been advanced into the vein, the hollow needle 6 is withdrawn from the vein and is moved along the plastic cannula until the needle hub 7 is closely adjacent to the connector 13, as appears in Figure 4. The plastic tubing is held in place in the vein by suitable adhesive engaged with the tubing and the skin of the patient.

The sterility protector 11 is then severed adjacent to the hub 7 as at 21. The adapter 13 is then engaged with a cooperating adapter 22 provided on an end of the flexible tubing 23 of the administration equipment gen erally shown at 24 in Figure 5. This includes a bottle 26 having a bail 27 at one end thereof to support the bottle. The bottle also has attached a drip meter, generally indicated at 28, and attached to the other end of the tube 23. Tube 23 includes suitable valve means, not shown, for regulating the flow of the fluid into the patient.

From the foregoing, I believe it will be apparent that I have provided a novel, simple and improved in-dwelling venous cannula.

I claim:

In an intravenous administration equipment, a hollow metal needle having an end for insertion in a vein, a flexible plastic tube mounted slidably in the needle for projection of one end of the tube past the end of the needle, means for attaching the other end of the tube to a source of liquid for intravenous injection, and a flexible cover enclosing the needle, tube and attaching means, and means securing the cover on the hub of the needle.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,634,856 Perkins Apr. 14, 1953 2,750,719 Wandelt June 19, 1956 FOREIGN PATENTS 1,064,445 France Dec. 23, 1953 

